Murray James Pearthree

Murray James Pearthree, a 17-year resident of Durango, died Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, in Durango. He was 91.

Pearthree was born Aug. 27, 1921, in McGregor, Minn., the son of Arnim and Christine Pearthree. He grew up on his family’s dairy farm in northern Minnesota and graduated from McGregor High School during the Great Depression.

After various jobs in Duluth, Minn., he became a salesman for the Morton Salt Co., where he worked for 40 years and retired from management in the late 1980 while living in New Jersey. His career took his family to cities in Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Ohio.

Pearthree married Jean Rutter on Dec. 19, 1942, in Duluth. After his retirement, the couple moved to Durango to be close to their daughter and her husband.

Pearthree loved hunting, farming and golf. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, his family said.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Pearthree of Durango; three children, Linda McLaughlin of Durango, Vicki Raeburn of New York, and Philip Pearthree of Tucson, Ariz.; a sister, Agnes Barrott of Lewiston, Idaho; a brother, Harold Pearthree of McGregor, Minn.; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be 3 p.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church of Durango. The Rev. Jeff Huber will preside.

Memorial contributions may be made to the La Plata County Humane Society, P.O. Box 2164, Durango, CO 81302.